Senate OKs $100M for bulletproof glass, beefed up school security

Alief ISD facilities project manager Glenn Jarrett, left, and Albright Middle School principal Lori Wyatt, center, watch as Teal Construction superintendent Jim Jones shows off the sliding door to greet visitors at the school's new security vestibule Tuesday Aug. 14, 2018 in Houston. The vestibule lets staff to interact with visitors before allowing them access to the building and also has a 911 call button.

Alief ISD facilities project manager Glenn Jarrett, left, and Albright Middle School principal Lori Wyatt, center, watch as Teal Construction superintendent Jim Jones shows off the sliding door to greet visitors at the school's new security vestibule Tuesday Aug. 14, 2018 in Houston. The vestibule lets staff to interact with visitors before allowing them access to the building and also has a 911 call button.

AUSTIN — The state Senate wants to give school districts up to $100 million to install security equipment and other devices to deter future school shootings in light of last year’s massacre at Santa Fe High School.

The one-time funding, approved 31-0 on Wednesday, could be used by schools to improve doors at entry points, install video monitors and other elements in an effort to “harden” schools by increasing security features on campus. Other options include metal detectors, vehicle barriers, security systems, shooter-alarm systems, two-way radios, security fencing, bullet-resistant glass and door-locking systems.

Texas lawmakers want to address the threat of possible school shootings with a two-pronged approach: helping school districts boost security and improving student access to mental health to prevent school violence before it starts. The Republican-led Legislature is hesitant to take up legislation that would make it more difficult to obtain a gun or allow police to take firearms away from someone suspected of of being a threat.

The funding vote comes less than a year after a 17-year-old student opened fire in Santa Fe high school, killing 10 people and wounding 13 others. The money is part of a $6 billion bill that also included money for Hurricane Harvey-related expenses.

STATE POLITICS: Get the most out of what's going on politically through our Texas Take newsletter. Sign up here.